How propane is helping extend the construction season
Residential and commercial construction projects used to be highly seasonal, hampered by winter weather in many regions of the country, shorter daylight hours and the challenges of maintaining a seasonal skilled workforce.
As such, most construction projects began in the spring and summer months, with a rush to close in buildings before winter came. Here are some of the ways that propane and related application technology have been working to help change all of that.
Temporary construction heat – For over 100 years, propane has been a primary energy source for portable and temporary heating on jobsite applications. Unlike electric and natural gas utilities, propane retailers offer an on-site, portable energy source that can arrive on the jobsite exactly when and where it is needed to satisfy a wide range of energy needs. Temporary utility service and its related service shortcomings can be avoided altogether.
Advancing technology has brought portable direct-fired, indirect-fired and infrared propane heating technology to new levels of operating safety and efficiency. Remote and site thermostats on some propane heater models can include non-adjustable (tamper-proof) setpoints and low-voltage operation to maximize temperature accuracy and energy efficiency. In contrast, portable oil-fired heaters are generally known for slow warm-up, limited heating capacity, noisy operation and a heavy emissions profile. Advances in propane temporary construction heat have made residential and commercial construction a year-round operation, no matter what winter weather may bring.
Temporary construction cooling – In spring and summer months, work conditions and performance on some jobsites can be adversely affected by high heat conditions. Propane-enabled portable cooling equipment is now available to simmer down summer temperatures on construction sites.
Propane portable power – Towable propane generators are becoming a popular jobsite source of power for temporary offices and workshops, EV charging, electric power tools, battery charging stations, jobsite heavy equipment, and even final energy system startup and testing while waiting for the energy utility service to appear. Portable propane generators can range in size from 10,000 watts (10 kW) to well over 150 kW. Construction professionals on the jobsite favor towable propane generators over diesel models because propane generators are generally quieter in operation, have lower emissions, and fuel costs are usually much less expensive. Propane is portable, and now towable propane generators make electricity portable, too.
Portable light towers – Propane-powered temporary light towers are now available to provide mobile illumination for jobsites. High-output LED lighting arrays are powered by a propane generator that is self-contained with a fuel source on a push/roll cart or a towable trailer. Propane can extend daylight on jobsites around the clock whenever and wherever it is needed.
Portable tool battery charging stations – Cordless tool battery charging stations have become popular on jobsites with the availability of a wide range of cordless handheld tools. Propane models have a self-contained generator and fuel source and can be moved around the jobsite where needed to charge tool batteries and provide a power strip for corded tools. Propane offers a cordless solution for charging cordless tool batteries.
Material handling equipment – The ease and simplicity of propane cylinder exchange make propane an easy portable fuel source for forklift trucks, utility vehicles, scissor lifts, wheel buggies and other material handling equipment found on the jobsite. Heavy lifts are not a problem for portable propane.
These are just some of the many ways that propane helps to keep construction projects on schedule in all climates at all times of the year and keep the construction trades working year-round.
Make sure that residential and commercial builders and equipment rental companies in your area are aware of and take advantage of the portable energy advantages of propane on the jobsite. You may even want to start an equipment rental business of your own. A few propane marketers have already headed in that direction.
‘Tis the season for you and propane to lengthen the construction season.
Tom Jaenicke is known as “the propane guy” and works as an adviser and strategist to the energy industry. Check out his work at atomiksolutions.com. Tom is a propane industry veteran of several decades and can be reached at tom@atomikenergysolutions.com or by calling 810-252-7855.
Featured homepage image: Francisco Zalez/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
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